Apostles conducting 3 sessions of April 2024 general conference – Church News

President Russell M. Nelson invited members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to conduct choose normal periods of the April 2024 normal convention — a duty historically dealt with by a member of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In truth, by the top of the April 6-7 weekend, three members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles may have performed the convention’s normal periods.

“Throughout this convention, you’ll be aware that members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have been invited to conduct three of the 5 periods,” mentioned President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor within the First Presidency, firstly of the Saturday morning session. “We’re grateful for his or her help.”

4 hours later, Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles welcomed attendees as he performed the Saturday afternoon session. All the First Presidency sat behind him as he stood on the podium.

And 4 hours after that, Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Twelve performed the Saturday night session.

Having somebody apart from the President of the Church or one in every of his counselors conduct convention periods is uncommon, however has occurred each traditionally and lately.

Every so often up to now, when half or the entire First Presidency have been absent from convention periods, the First Presidency has designated somebody to conduct the session. Sometimes, it has been the senior-most Apostle not within the First Presidency.

However that wasn’t the case Saturday. With Elder Stevenson ordained an Apostle in 2015, there are extra within the quorum who’ve longer tenures as Apostles.

And the final time somebody different a member of the First Presidency performed a normal convention got here simply two years in the past. President Jean B. Bingham, then the Aid Society normal president, performed the Saturday night session of the April 2022 normal convention, with President Oaks providing an introductory message.

This isn’t the primary time President Nelson has concerned members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in one thing that beforehand was dealt with largely by members of the First Presidency.

Early in his tenure as President of the Church, which began in January 2018, President Nelson discovered methods to contain members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in his ministry journeys and in presiding at temple dedications and rededications.

“These Brethren are so loyal. I really like them — like my very own brothers, like my very own sons,” he mentioned in São Paulo, Brazil, in September 2019.

Watching his Brethren perform the work of the Church throughout the globe has introduced President Nelson nice pleasure.

“Have you ever ever been a father and brought youngsters on a fishing journey? Are you content catching a fish? Are you happier watching your youngsters catch a fish?’”